Young STEM Leaders
An exciting new award which aims to spark greater interest in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) among young people is being launched in Scotland and your organisation / youth group could be part of the Young STEM Leaders Award pilot!
A key strand of the Scottish Government’s Strategy for STEM Education and Training (2017), children and young people will be given the chance to inspire, lead and mentor their peers through the creation and delivery of STEM activities and events within their school, Early Years Centres or local youth / community groups.
The key aim of the Young STEM Leader (YSL) programme will be to facilitate the development of peer STEM role models to inspire more young people to develop an interest in STEM and pursue the study of STEM subjects and relevant future careers. As well as helping the Young STEM Leader (YSL) develop important personal skills that are increasingly in demand from employers, it is hoped that working towards the YSL Award will motivate the Young STEM Leader to continue to progress their STEM studies and eventually embark on a career in STEM.The Scottish government-funded programme is being led by the Scottish Schools Education Research Centre (SSERC) and a range of partners, including Awards Network members YouthLink Scotland and Young Scot. The Awards Network has recently been invited to join the project Steering Group.
The Young STEM Leader Award will be non-formally accredited at curriculum levels 2, 3 and 4, underpinned by a framework that identifies the skills, knowledge and behaviours expected of a Young STEM Leader at each curricular level. SCQF levels 4, 5 and 6 will be formally accredited and certificated.
Every YSL will receive face-to-face and digital training related to the skills, knowledge and behaviours required to be a Young STEM Leader at each level. Those co-ordinating, supporting and assessing the YSLs will also receive training. It is anticipated that the YSL Award will allow easy progression for YSLs to become STEM Ambassadors when they turn 17.
A Scotland-wide pilot of the YSL programme is due to launch in early summer 2019. SSERC is seeking to sign-up a diverse mix of schools, youth and community groups and existing awards / initiatives, to pilot the programme, which will be fully operational across Scotland in 2020. It would be great to see strong youth work sector involvement.
If you would like your organisation / young people to be involved in the YSL Award pilot, please contact YSL Project Manager Graeme Rough at ysl@sserc.scot Tel. 01383 626 070
